Titans look to make jump

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This article was published 29/08/2025 (282 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Neepawa Titans aren’t satisfied with just making the playoffs — and they’re not pretending to be.

After a five-game playoff exit last spring to the eventual Turnbull Cup champion Northern Manitoba Blizzard, the Titans returned to camp at J&G Homes Arena in Brandon on Friday with the feeling they left something on the table. Three of its four losses in that series against The Pas were decided by just one goal, including one that stretched into double overtime.

Titans head coach Ken Pearson believes his group was better than the results showed — and now they’re back with a plan to prove it.

“We just felt that losing in five games, we were better than that,” said Pearson, who’s been with the organization since 2019. “I think the returning guys are ready to take the next step.”

That next step starts with leadership, where Captain Cooper Kasprick enters his fourth season with the club and second having a ‘C’ etched on his chest. The Neepawa product, who registered 17 goals and 36 points for the Titans last season, is chomping at the bit to lead the charge into what he hopes will be a deep playoff run this time around.

“I’m really excited to get going here,” said Kasprick. “We’re going to be a playoff team again, and like last year, our goal wasn’t just to make it but to go deep. It’s the same thing this year, we’re planning to go all the way.”

For Kasprick, last year’s early exit still stings — especially knowing how close the Titans were in every game against the Blizzard, but with another year under his belt, he said there’s a better understanding now of what it takes to win in the postseason.

“They were such a hard-working team, so we got to kind of follow that,” he said. “They wanted it more, it’s as simple as that. So we just have to follow what we did last year and just dig deeper in those big games. That’s it.”

One of the biggest lessons Pearson and his staff took from that playoff series was how critical special teams are when the margins are razor thin — and how costly missed chances can be.

“Looking back at that series, I think our special teams, specifically our power play, just didn’t capitalize on the opportunities,” said Pearson. “Not that we didn’t generate chances, but we just couldn’t finish them.”

While the Titans created looks with the man advantage, Northern Manitoba’s shot-blocking and defensive structure limited Neepawa’s ability to convert. Pearson said that’s an area they’ll be dedicating more time to in the regular season with hopes of it paying off in the spring.

“Being a little more selfish, but also just shooting from better spots,” he added.

That decision-making, Pearson said, will come with the experience returning players now have under their belts.

Up front, the Titans expect big contributions from returning centre Logan Paquette and winger Kyle Weisgarber, who both bring experience and offensive upside that will be key in helping drive that top six. Wingers Dawson Andries and Addison McIntosh, along with centre Steele Jowett, are also looking to break out in bigger roles this season after spending time in and out of the lineup last year.

The Titans won’t be reinventing their identity this season. They’ll continue to play an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of hockey — but this time with a sharper focus on cutting down goals against. Pearson said the goal is to shave off at least half a goal to a full goal per game, and that starts with a more mature group on the back end and in the crease.

On defence, the Titans are anchored by an experienced core that Pearson considers one of the team’s biggest strengths. Jackson Kohut, Ryder Heaphy, and DJ Maloney are expected to log big minutes. All three players may be under six feet, but they play the brand of hockey Pearson wants to see — fast, consistent, and competitive every shift.

In goal, Neepawa will be without returning starter KC Couckuyt to open the year due to injury. The 20-year-old Brandonite posted a 13-8 record and a .913 save percentage last season and is expected to work his way back into the lineup later in the year. In the meantime, Pearson said the crease will be up for grabs.

“I think we’re going to have real good competition with our goaltenders since Casey is going to be out,” he said. “We’re just going to have some real tough decisions with who we go with.”

The Titans will remain in Brandon through the weekend and next week, when Neepawa plays its first exhibition game against the Virden Oil Capitals on Tuesday.

» mdelucataronno@brandonsun.com